For a very long time, people have admired horses for their power, grace, and speed. Nonetheless, certain breeds are distinguished by their extreme strength and size. We can say that those giants catch all the eyes every time they appear.
Come learn more about these amazing horses if you’re interested. Together, we will explore the top 10 strongest horse breeds in the world. Get ready to be surprised by the strength and grandeur of these magnificent horses. The great thing is that despite their huge body, most of them possess a calm and easygoing nature. Now, it’s your time to scroll down and explore this list.
What Kinds of Horse Are Considered Strong?
When one thinks of the strongest horse breeds, the draft horses or the cold-blooded horses come to mind. These breeds are renowned for their incredible strength, endurance, and ability to perform heavy labor.
The term “cold-blooded” refers to the temperament of the horses which are calm, steady, and composed. Those traits are usually associated with horses used in heavy and slow-paced work. Many draft horses belong in the category of cold-blooded because they share the similarity in temperamental traits.
Key Characteristics of Strongest Horse Breeds
Some famous strongest horse breeds you should know are Shire, Clydesdale, and Percheron. Draft horses commonly range from 16 to 19 hands at the shoulder in height, which is equivalent to 64 inches to 76 inches, and weigh between 1,600 and 2,400 pounds. Broad chests, strong backs, and muscular hindquarters all support the potential for heavy work. The draft horses are quite large. However, their nature is very forgiving and willing, so you can handle them easily.
10 Strongest Horse Breeds – Giant & Impressive
Over generations, the strongest horse breeds have been carefully selected via breeding to excel in jobs requiring a great deal of power and endurance. This puts them among the world’s strongest and most trustworthy horses.
American Cream Draft Horse
Origin: United States
Height: 15 to 16.3 hands (60 to 65 inches)
Weight: 1,600 to 2,000 pounds
Color Coats: Cream with white manes and tails
The American Cream Draft is the only breed of draft horse that was created in the US and is still in utilize nowadays. This powerful horse breed has a unique color of creamy-colored coats, amber eyes, and a gentle temperament. Aside from its strength, it is also very versatile and can be used for purposes like farming, logging, carriage, and riding.
Shire Horse
Origin: England
Height: 17 to 19 hands (68 to 76 inches)
Weight: 1,800 to 2,400 pounds
Color Coats: Black, bay, grey, chestnut
The Shire Horse is one of the largest and strongest horse breeds in the world, traditionally used for heavy draught in farming and industrial contexts. The colossal height and massive bulk of Shire go with a calm and easygoing nature. For this reason, Shires often take part in parades and other pageant events that call for great strength and a noble appearance. Feathered legs and broad muscularity make this breed truly iconic among draft horses.
Clydesdale Horse
Origin: Scotland
Height: 16.1 to 18 hands (65 to 72 inches)
Weight: 1,800 to 2,200 pounds
Color Coats: Bay, black, brown, with white markings
The Clydesdales are world-famous and typically bay-colored. They are incredibly strong and also very beautiful. The big distinction of Clydesdales is their white “feathering” on the legs, in addition to white markings that are bold on the face. They were primarily bred for heavy farm and industrial work. But in modern days, Clydesdales are the perfect choice to take part in parades, commercials, and even carriage horses. They are described as muscular horses with a broad forehead, an arched back, and a wide muzzle.
Friesian Horse
Origin: Netherlands
Height: 15.3 to 17 hands (61 to 68 inches)
Weight: 1,200 to 1,400 pounds
Color Coats: Black
The Friesian Horse may not be as big as other draft breeds, but it has incredible strength and agility. People bred these horses for war. Their solid black coat and flowing mane and tail give them a look that’s both elegant and powerful. Friesians can do many things well. They excel in harness work and riding disciplines in dressage where they show off their strength and grace. Their calm and friendly nature makes them popular for both jobs and shows as well as the favorite choice of the best horse riders.
Percheron Horse
Origin: France
Height: 15 to 18 hands (60 to 72 inches)
Weight: 1,800 to 2,600 pounds
Color Coats: Black, grey
Percherons are famous for their mix of size, power, intelligence, and endurance. People first bred them for battle, but later became crucial in farming and moving goods. Their strong build and smarts make them great workhorses, and you’ll often spot them in pulling contests, parades, and other riding disciplines. Until now, Percheron is one of the most popular and strongest horse breeds that are used in the United States.
Ardennes Horse
Origin: France, Belgium, Luxembourg
Height: 15.3 to 16.3 hands (61 to 65 inches)
Weight: 1,500 to 2,200 pounds
Color Coats: Bay, roan, chestnut
The Ardennes ranks among the oldest and toughest draft horse breeds famous for their stamina and power. These horses have a strong build and stand out with their thick feathered legs. People value Ardennes for their skill to work in rugged hilly areas. In the past, armies used them in battle, and now farmers rely on them for farm work. Today, Ardennes horses often pull heavy loads, take part in pulling contests, and serve as workhorses on farms.
Belgian Draft Horse
Origin: Belgium
Height: 16.2 to 18 hands (66 to 72 inches)
Weight: 1,800 to 2,400 pounds
Color Coats: Chestnut, roan, bay
Among the strongest horse breeds is the Belgian Draft Horse. They are famous for their amazing ability to pull heavy loads and their kind nature. People can see such horses on farms, in logging operations, for competitive pulling, and alongside for the pleasure of riding. You will find them cloaked with a light chestnut flaxen-colored (lighter than the body color) mane and tail, which tends to make them look enormously attractive and noticeable at once. Their heads are a bit on the small side but well-proportioned, they have the neck curved and the powerful back.
Dutch Draft
Origin: Netherlands
Height: 15.1 to 17 hands (60 to 68 inches)
Weight: 1,500 to 1,800 pounds
Color Coats: Bay, grey, chestnut
The Dutch Draft has a reputation for being a strong and tough breed. People in the Netherlands created these horses to do heavy farm work and pull big loads. They’re excellent workhorses because of their reputation for composure and patience. Besides their muscular build, their standout feature is their legs with lots of feathering. This makes them beautiful horses that both casual riders and show participants enjoy.
Suffolk Punch
Origin: England
Height: 16.1 to 17 hands (65 to 68 inches)
Weight: 1,900 to 2,200 pounds
Color Coats: Chestnut
The Suffolk Punch stands out as one of the strongest horse breeds catching eyes with its solid chestnut coat and strong build. Farmers bred this horse to work on farms, and it shines when plowing fields and doing other farm jobs. Though usually not as tall as other draft breeds, the Suffolk Punch has a huge body, thanks to breeding aimed at farm work. These horses put in long hours, and live for many years, but don’t eat as much as other draft breeds. This makes them a smart choice for owners looking to save money.
South German Coldblood Horse
Origin: Germany
Height: 15.3 to 16.3 hands (61 to 65 inches)
Weight: 1,500 to 1,800 pounds
Color Coats: Chestnut, bay
The South German Coldblood is a small yet strong draft horse from Germany. This breed has strength and staying power, which makes it useful for work in forests and farms. It’s one of the few horse types worldwide that shows leopard spots. These horses are tough, friendly, and have lots of energy and a desire to work. Their calm and steady nature makes them good for shows and pulling carriages.
Last Words
The 10 strongest horse breeds ranging from the giant American Cream Draft, Shire, and Clydesdale, all show their big role as well as beauty. They have played a crucial role in farming, industry, and warfare in the past. These days, they keep captivating us with their incredible power, kind nature, and stunning appearance. They take part in all sorts of activities from pulling contests to riding and exhibitions.
